A relatively small number of chronically absent teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and 39 other large districts account for over a third of all teacher absences, according to a new study by the National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonpartisan reform group based in Washington, D.C.
"While policymakers have been directing considerable attention to teacher effectiveness, one basic aspect of effectiveness has received relatively little attention: teacher attendance," says the report. "No matter how engaging or talented teachers may be, they can only have an impact on student learning if they are in the classroom."
"Roll Call: The Importance of Teacher Attendance" compiles some interesting data from 40 large districts (CMS was the only one in the Carolinas). Across all districts, teachers averaged 11 absences per school year, with CMS landing close to that average. Long-term leaves of more than 10 consecutive days weren't counted, but time off for professional development was.
Sixteen percent of teachers nationally and in CMS missed 18 or more days, which the council labeled chronically absent, and they accounted for 34 percent of the absences.
CMS fell below average on teachers with excellent attendance, defined as no more than three days missed. Sixteen percent of the whole group fell into that category, but just over 9 percent of CMS teachers did.
The problem might be clear -- children lose ground when they're constantly taught by substitutes, and the districts spent a combined $424 million on subs last year -- but solutions were not. The council found no consistent effects linked to leave policies or incentive programs designed to boost attendance.
Even the expected link between school poverty and absenteeism didn't materialize: "The
difference between the average days absent in the highest and lowest poverty schools was under one day and was not statistically significant."
The conclusion: Keep looking for answers.
"Anecdotally, teachers and principals often cite school-based norms that shape the culture and tone around teacher attendance – perhaps more effectively than the broader and more distant formal district policies," the report concludes. "Something as straightforward as principals expecting their teachers to call them directly when they must take leave can often shape school culture concerning teacher attendance."
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Effective teaching: First step is showing up
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46 comments:
And yet they cannot get rid of these "chronically absent" teachers because of tenure...go figure....
I bet teachers have better attendance in SC... Run south my friends. Go Gamecocks.
Not quite fair to include days missed for PD, those are days that must be taken because the system schedules the event during the school day.
You need to look at the group that produced this study before you buy into their analysis. Conservative, anti-teacher...
6:50 am you have proof of this? You don't yet you wanted your little nugget of wisdom printed. "tenure" or career status as it in NC does not protect these people - administrators that do not do their jobs keep these people employed. OR maybe they have valid reasons for missing this much time. Ever had a sick child? There is no reason given for why these people are out just that they are out (oh wait, it could include PD) but no you want to make it about "tenure". Please stick to what you know; your speculation is not needed here!
This is a sadly typical report, all statistics and very little substance about what is really going on at the school level. It is not surprising that it offers no solutions.
Interestingly, the first comment (6:50 a.m.) assumes that teachers who are often absent need to be fired but cannot be, even though there is no evidence whatsoever in the report that these teachers are slacking off. Some may be, some may be absent for other reasons.
Since the report looks at only one school year, there is no way to know whether the same teachers are frequently absent year after year. Maybe, maybe not.
Our kids need fewer fancy reports, less off-the-cuff denigration of teachers, and more support for the teachers and teacher assistants who actually help kids learn.
Average of 11 absent days and 9000 teachers in the system? That's a lot of time off.
Ann, wonder how it is broken down by school level, ES, MS and HS?
I have to admit, that as a former teacher and the parent of two teachers, this problem bothers me greatly. I left teaching after 12 years with about 40 days of sick leave built up, and we only got 5 days per year back then. I probably took a total of 15 days of sick and personal leave in those 12 years, and yes, I had a family with small children and my wife also taught. She generally took her sick days but she taught elementary schools in a very poor community when you hugged children and had physical contact with them beyond what is allowed today.
grass is always greener
like everybody dont have the same problems
This is not a problem folks, all the CMS schools will be moving to technologically driven Individualized Student learning next year and beyond.
So, all this hoopla about teachers, teacher pay and chronically absent teachers is mute. The students will be sitting in front of screens all day and working (alone) at their own pace with on-line instruction. This is what CMS is pushing starting next school year. CMS says this is a better, more efficient use of learning time.
This is ingenious, larger class sizes and less teachers, Problem solved!
I don't believe tenure would protect the chronically absent teachers because "inadequate performance" and "neglect of duty" are both legal causes for dismissal. For example, if the principal took the time to document sick leave absences when the employee actually went to the beach a case could be made. Most principals however would not do this. In my experience, its poor principals allowing lousy teachers to continue (or even gain career status) rather than tenure 'protecting' them.
7:14am and SC has better school start times.
What's the point of giving teachers leave time if they're going to be chastised for using it?
Another garbage "study" by another corporate-based organization seeking to privatize education. Of course absentee rates will be higher in urban areas where teachers work with students who do not get proper health care. And for the millionth time, tenure in K-12 education is not a job for life like it is at the university level.
As a CMS substitute teacher (three high schools) for the past ten years:
80% of my sub assignments are for the same 30 teachers. What day do most teachers choose to be sick? Easy answer - Fridays.
The problem is the extreme stress that goes with the job. A relative of mine is an insurance broker and has repeatedly stated they are not interested in bidding health administration for the state plan because teachers are " sicker" than other working populations. Stress comes from all sides and increases continually. How can it help affecting the body? I know a lot of teachers who work sick because they feel more stressed when they stay out to try to recover - more work when they return. Until the stress factor is addressed, nothing will change. RE: tenure- no different than any other business. Large employers cannot dismiss people easily for health-related issues. You can go go to the labor board and plead FMLA - I know people who do that who work for the largest employers in the area. Tenure does not necessarily protect absentees.
Hey 6:50! You can get rid of any teacher you want in NC. It just takes a legitimate reason and an administrator with a pair.
10:47am Get ready for more privatization in our very own CMS schools next year.
The "tenure" that the ignorants continue to post here certainly didn't help my spouse when her entire department was sent packing via a Friday evening telephone call in a previous CMS administration. Seems the HR director that was brought in from out of state wasn't quite as knowledgeable in how to quickly and quietly dispose of employees legally or otherwise. The annual leave is a running joke as Wiley astutely put it. Try and use it, nearly impossible unless you're planning to retire.
Good article. And, sadly...very true. Incredible teacher absences to the point that adequate sub's cannot be found on many days. I've heard it for year's from my teacher spouse.
Forget all the tenure talk for a moment and focus on the fact that some teachers are not showing up! Symptom of a greater problem.
What's the point of giving teachers leave time if they're going to be chastised for using it?
I agree with you Wiley!
So let me get this straight, teachers are using something given to them each year by the state and you are complaining about it? Do you use all the sick or vacation days provided to you by your employer? I'm sure you do.
It's a wonder we still have anyone wanting to be a teacher. Everyone wants to complain about what teachers do or don't do, but those complaining wouldn't last one day in a teaching position.
By the way, I noticed of the 17 comments posted regarding this article, 11 of them or 64% were sent after 8:00am. This is the usual starting time of most jobs. Are you people using sick days or just wasting time at your computers on your company's dime?
All that time off and they only work 9 months out of the year.
2:50
Perhaps you should answer your question first, unless you work from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and have been off the clock for the past 50 minutes.... or are you wasting your employer's time?
3:08 is another misinformed complainer. They are ten month employees, not nine! They start in the middle of August and end in the middle of June. Many, including my wife, bring work home to do at nights and on weekends to make sure that lesson plans are developed and ready for the following week so that your child may continue to learn. Remember that when your child is doing homework so is their teacher.
Not one comment on how detrimental this is on the Kids.
Why is it we never really focus on the real reason schools are in business, I guess because so much if dependent on keeping things going just as they are.
I'll tell you the days I took off this year:
*3 for illness
*3 for student required activities that carried over to the weekend and even on Memorial Day and thus, I actually was working all weekend
*4 due to a family emergency and a need to travel a long distance
*2 for Professional Development thanks to all the testing stuff we have to do
Here are the hours I worked without compensation: 654... as I am a co-curricular activity sponsor. My school year isn't over until the weekend of June 21...and I don't get paid for those days or the other weekends I work.
I am wondering of those numbers include medical leave time and maternity/paternity leave time or in the case of a medical diagnosis when a qualified sub (with the degree and credentials) is in the classroom with the students...it is rather vague information Ann and you really kinda' make it seem like you are sitting in the judgement seat a little on this one.
And to the person who said we only work 9 months out of the year... hyperbole and false info much? August - June is 10 months + the weeks in the summer that are dedicated to professional development requirements so we can keep our licenses to do our jobs...all told, I work the same number of days that my dad does who has a corporate job...his vacation days, etc. total the same amount of time I am "off" so to speak...and if you compare teaching to anything, it MUST be a professional level career...as it IS one...so your statement really isn't valid...sorry.
Larry,
What is so detrimental? The fact teachers take time off?
The array of excuses why Little Johnny can't read gets longer each year. A teacher takes off, a sub comes in and all of a sudden the ABC's go out the door?
Geeze, substitutes have been around forever.
As with any company, you're going to have those who take full advantage of all time allowed off in their job and those who don't.
I can't tell you the last time I've taken all my vacation, but it's mine to take or not use.
Comp time? If I used all the comp time I'm entitled to, I wouldn't have to work for about 6 months.
Teachers ahve kids, elderly parents or other family members that they may need to take care of, etc. just like the rest of us.
As I said, if you're going to make available to state employees sick time, personal time and vacation, then they should be able to take it without even having this discussion.
The one issue I have is teachers/employees being able to get/borrow time from someone else.
I just want to make sure that I have this right. As a teacher I am not allowed to get sick,or have my children become ill, or have anyone in my family die? My car cannot break down (but I have no money to maintain it properly? I cannot go to the dentist or doctor because their office hours end before I get out of school? I cannot not attend PD required by my school district or to improve myself as an educator? WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ALL WANT FROM US???? Check the CMS school website for the teaching vacancies, it is over 400 and rising. BECAUSE you are expecting the impossible from your teachers. Good bye and good luck!
Anne…please do your homework. NCTQ is NOT a non-partisan organization. It is a destructive organization that uses faulty, bogus methodology to collect data.
Teachers can only "borrow" time from a family member, I found that out when my fiancee broke his neck and I didn't have enough sick days, being new to NC, and I had to go back to school and teach while he was still in the hospital. Luckily, it was close to Christmas and luckily, my father flew up to take care of him for the week I had in the interim and luckily, some of his other friends took days off and took turns staying with him. Numerous people offered to give me a few days from their time, but couldn't because I am not family...so, Wiley...you need to get your "rules" and "policies" knowledge straight before you spew it forth.
6:25
Voluntary Shared Leave
Permanent employees who have exhausted all accumulated paid leave may apply for Voluntary Shared Leave if you are likely to suffer financial hardship from a prolonged absence caused by a serious medical condition. The Voluntary Shared Leave Policy allows fellow CMS employees and family members of other State Agencies to donate a portion of their earned leave to eligible employees of CMS....
...Any permanent employee who has accumulated leave in excess of five (5) sick leave days or five (5) annual leave days may donate leave to an employee who has been approved to receive donated leave. Sick leave may be donated only to an immediate family member. Otherwise, only annual leave may be donated.
This from the NC Department of Health & Human Services:
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/humanresources/forms/benefits/ben107-volsharedleavedonate.doc
I tend to agree with a previous post. Why would anyone choose to be a teacher in this state when you consider all of the poop they have to put up with? Not only has the profession become thankless, you get blamed for everything to boot.
If we listened to larry, we would think other than charter schools teachers, the rest of you suck!
"Eligible" being the key word and in CMS that means a family member by blood or marriage for any type of leave sharing.
With how teachers are treated in this backwaters state, I am surprised they show up at all. If you put large groups of people in a building, your asking for high rates of illness. Children are chronically I'll as their immune systems mature. I would expect higher then average illness. Tenure in this state is less of a protection then people think. This is not the north.
for CMS teachers to have an AVERAGE of 11 days out during the school year is significant. That means some teachers have a lot of days off. Of course there are legitimate reasons to take time off, but I own a business and if I or any of my employees were absent for over 11 days a year (on average), in addition to all of the teacher days and vacation - holidays, I would be out of business!
Wiley: Going to any CMS School which is not an enclave of learning is detrimental to children.
I challenge the observer to join me for a couple of graduations, and we can ask random graduates questions from say 8th grade oriented questions.
Oh I forgot, we will ask those same questions of the parents/parent/guardian or government entity to which they are assigned.
10:29 How many times do I need to post www.GreatSchools.org so you can see what I always praise about CMS, enclave schools of learning.
And some of them are not in the Suburbs.
So in your venom spew, please take time to think about the children you are hitting.
Same with so many comments from I assume or Teachers and the like. But of course nothing like Teachers I have ever meet.
Watching Toy Story in my son's middle school math class is tough work. Could the teachers not do something more productive and fun after the EOGs, something actually related to math?
One of the posters claimed teachers work ten months a year. Really?
Nine weeks off for Summer break. Two weeks off for Winter break. One week off for Spring break. Several teacher work days. Several holidays.
News flash - Normal working folks do not get this kind of time off.
News flash - normal jobs are nowhere near as stressful as teaching, unless they are also public service related (fire, EMS, justice, ...). I have worked multiple jobs and I promise you, teaching is the hardest job of all!
State Employees get the sick days, and accrue them when they retire, to provide income.
Something I have not seen in this discussion?
Why is there such an anti-teacher
feel in North Carolina. The value of teachers have been lowered with the election of this Gov.
No, he has not said teachers are of no value..... However his comments and those of his handlers and supporters has left that feeling across the state.
Lets face it ... Education is not a
priority to this administration.
The Gov. has found a way to force through everything else he wanted to do. If he really wanted to improve salary and the teaching profession,he would have forced that through also.
He does not really care.
The students are not a priority for the CMS BOE or the CMS bloated administration. If it was a priority for either, then there would not be a bloated administration - the funds would be allocated more effectively rather than just bitching about not getting enough.
6/4 @4:13pm
Nobody is arguing about teaching being hard work. Contrary to your position - there are many jobs just as difficult in different ways.
Does "hard" justify 12 weeks of vacation? Not in the real world.
Stress during work is the biggest health issue for teachers. Adress the stress-problem and people will show up as they should. American teachers are the most productive in the world - they give more classes per week than any other nation.
But Americans don't seem to understand that more isn't better in education. Teachers undergo great stress in order to prepare, execute and revise their lessons, and at the same time they've got massive amounts of administration to do...
A teacher from the Netherlands.
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